Know Your Rights as a Texas Tenant

Under Texas law, your landlord must return your security deposit — or provide a written itemized list of deductions — within 30 days of you vacating the unit and surrendering possession. If you provide a forwarding address before moving out, the clock starts when you leave. Failure to comply can cost the landlord your deposit plus $100, three times the wrongfully withheld portion, and your attorney's fees.

Before filing an eviction suit, a Texas landlord must serve a written Notice to Vacate. For non-payment of rent, the minimum notice period is 3 days unless your lease specifies more. The landlord must deliver it in person, by mail (certified or first-class), or by affixing it to the inside of the main entry door. An eviction filed without proper notice can be dismissed by the court.

If you are in a fixed-term lease, your landlord cannot raise rent during the lease term — the agreed rent is locked in. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord may increase rent, but must give at least one full rental period's notice before the increase takes effect. Texas has no statewide rent control, so the amount of any increase is not limited by law.

Texas law requires landlords to make repairs that materially affect health or safety. You must give written notice of the problem; if the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time (typically 7 days), you may be able to terminate the lease without penalty, repair and deduct up to one month's rent from future rent, or sue for rent reduction and damages. You must not be delinquent on rent to exercise these remedies.

Yes. Texas Property Code § 92.331 prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who in good faith report a housing code violation, request repairs, or organize with other tenants. Retaliation includes eviction, rent increases, and reduction in services within 6 months of a protected activity. If retaliation is proven, you can recover one month's rent plus $500, actual damages, and attorney's fees.